Belt guide for cigarette machines



' Aug. 5, 1941. P. J. HERRMANN BELT GUIDE FOR CIGARETTE -MACHINES Filed July 1, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1r Aug. 5, 1941.

P. J. HERRMANN BELT GUIDE FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES Filed July l. 1958 2 Sheets-SheefI 2 DNveNrovL PmLaoHANNas HeiLRMANN Patented Aug. 5, 1941 BELT GUIDE FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES Paul Johannes Herrmann, Dresden, Germany, as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to J. C. Muller N. V., Rotterdam, Netherlands Application July 1, 1938, Serial No. 216,873 In Germany April 8, 1938 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in belt guides for cigarette machines. More particularly, the invention pertains to cigarette machines of the type which form a tobacco rod upon an endless conveyor belt.

It is the practice in forming tobacco rodsupon an endless conveyor to pass the belt through a guide channel which has a groove of the shape desired for the tobacco rod. The belt travelling in this channel assumes the shape of the groovey and tobacco is delivered on the top of the belt from the usual tobacco spreader. The particular type of rod forming device to which this invention relates compresses the tobacco rod beneath a roller which has a peripheral shape corresponding to the shape of the rod. In this type of machine the belt which has the loose tobacco on its upper surface must be brought out of the guide channel adjacent the compressing roller and flattened in some manner so as to free the tobacco rod therefrom. The belt ris then further led away over a return roller. It has been the eX- perience in the past that a great amount of friction is developed in removing the belt fromV the channel and in flattening the same out. This friction leads to the early distruction of the belts which are necessarily finely and expensively constructed. This source of wear renders the cigarette making operation more expensive than need be because of the frequency with which the belts must bereplaced.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for guiding the endless belt of the rod forming machine out of the channel and beneath the compressing roller with a minimum of friction. l y

Another object is to provide means for removing all of the tobacco from the conveyor belt.

lFurther means are provided to hol-d the tobacco rod together for delivery to the cigarette wrapping device in proper condition.

A belt has been removed from the channel by spreading it out fiat over oblique surfaces which are formed by gradual widening Eand flattening of the walls of the channel in such a way that the belt can run off downward in the iiat state over the edge of the channel (German Patent No.

194,167 and U. S. Patent No. 899,376). In thisy device the belt must be kept under considerable tension to make it conform tothe Widening and flattening of the walls of the channel. This tension occasions considerable friction which frays the belt rapidly.

Another device which has been proposed in,

stead of causing the belt to spread out gradually is to spread the belt by means of two parallel members which dip into the groove of the channel from above and which leave space free between them for the passage of the tobacco rod (German Patent No.y 494,091 and U. S. Patent No. 1,723,942). In this device the belt. engages the lower edges of these guide surfaces and must be kept under considerable tension in order to follow the surfaces Aas a result of which the rapid deterioration of the belts results.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views: f

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with parts shown in section.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device with the upper structure removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken along the line III-III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of the device of Figure 1.

Figures 5 to 10 are sections taken respectively alongthe lines V-V to X--X of Figure 4.

Referring particularly to Figures l and 2, the rod forming device has the guide channel l which is provided at its top with a groove of the desired configuration. In this channel l the endless belt 2 travels in the usual manner whereby the belt conforms to the shape of the groove of the channel I. Tobacco is placed on the belt in the channel by means of the usual tobacco spreader which is not shown in the drawings. The upper side of the groove is partially covered by the plates 3, as shown in Figure 3, which have downwardly projecting edges 4 dipping into the U-shaped rod groove. Between the plates 3 a disk 5 is placed in such Va manner as to form a tight closure. The periphery of the disk 5 is designed to rest on the top of the tobacco travelling in the belt 2 and the speed of the disk is equal to the speed of the conveyor belt 2. It will be understood that the travel of tobacco is in the direction of right to left in these drawings and the disk 5 is rotated in the direction of the arrowy in Figure 1. A scraper 6 is located at one side of the disk 5 and adjusted to bear lightly against the surface thereof to remove tobacco particles which stick to the surface. Beneath the scraper 6 the rod channel l is provided with a vaulted cover 1 which has an extension 8 dipping partly into the channel, as best shown in Figure 5. This extension 8 .jacent the bracket 3|.

to the opposite sides of the disk 9 and gradually The a spring 32 which is secured at its opposite ends to the arm 39 and the bracket-3lj.respectively. As shown in Figures 6 to 8 the lperiphery ofthe disk 9 is profiled to produce a central groove corresponding in shape to the tobacco rod and the opposite edges of the disk taper radially to In the region of the disk 9.A

provide sloping edges.

the rod channel I is connected to a continuing channel II the side walls I9 of whichv are cut away concentrically to the disk 9.

As the conveyor belt 2 approaches therdisk 9 the guidance and control of the tobacco rod are gradually given over to the disk. At first, as shown in Figure 6, the edges 23 of the disk engage the opposite edges of the belt. These edges 23A are thin and serve to scrape tobacco from the upper surface of the belt. The opposite sides of the disk at its periphery are sloped 'at I2 so that the belt can slide freely thereover. Figure 6 also shows the holding finger I4 which is an eXtension of the Cover I and which extends up into the vaultedtop I3 of the peripheral groove of the disk 9. This finger serves to retain the shape of the tobacco rod at this point. The finger I4 is carried forward beyond the position shown in Figure 6 so that it gradually delivers the tobacco rod against the top I3 of the peripheral groove. As shown in Figure 2, the rod groove gradually diminishes in width so that the belt 2 is, forced partly out of the groove. In the section II of the channel, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the rod groove becomes more shallow ,and finally disappears. After the tobacco rod leaves the tip of the finger I4 it rests entirely in the peripheral groove of the disk 9 and is'compressedbeneath the lowermost point of the disk.

In the region of the lowest point of the disk 9, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a pair of guide fingers I extend from` the side of the device'ad- These fingers I5 lie close take over the work of flattening the belt 2. upper edges of the ngers IIivwhichV lie adjacent the periphery of the disk 9 are tapered to correspond to the tapered portions I2 of the disk. This tapering permits the inner walls of the fingers I5 to lie in spaced position to define a guide channel of substantially the same width as the groove in the disk 9.

The fingers I5 increase in cross section in the direction of travel of the belt, as will be seen from a comparison of Figures 7 and 8, and gradually the belt 2 is flattened upon the upper surface of the channel part II. After the belt 2 has been flattened it is then led away over the roller I8 and returned to the opposite end of the rod forming device. The ngers I5 therefore take over the guidance of the belt 2 beyond` the. lowest point of the disk 9. As the compressed tobacco rod is conveyed beyond the lowest point of the disk another holding finger I6 contacts the upper surface of the tobacco. This finger I6 has a front end I1 acting as a scraper inthe peripheralgrooveof the disk 9 to preventtobacfco from being carried'- in thisgroovea VFromthe end of the upper run of the belt 2 the tobacco rod is delivered onto a bridge I9 which serves to support it for carrying into the wrapping device 22 in which the tobacco rod is deposited on the upper surface of a paper web 20 which itself travels upon an endless belt 2I. The forward end of the bridge I9 formsr a scraper which is adjusted to lie close to the surface of the belt 2 and remove therefrom any tobacco sticking thereto. Figures 9 and l0 are further cross sec-` tions through the conveying device after the end of the upperv run ofthe belt 2. Figure 9 shows the guide fingers` I5 at their largest dimension In' thislposition the fingers I5 engage the edges of the bridge I9. If desired, these vrlngersl 5may be formed integral with the lbridge I9 as shown in Figure 9. The finger I6 is also shown as still guiding the rod from above. Figure 10 'shows the fingers I5 as they approach the cigarette'wrapping device 22. .The fingers are reduced'in cross section ati this point and'incline towards one another. The guide I6 is still present above the tobaccorod.

It will therefore be seen that the belt 2 is removedfrom thegroove in the rod'formingy channel I and is flattened out for return over the roller I8 without any abrupt turning and without substantial friction. The disk 5 and the Compressingl disk 9are rotated atv aperipheral speed equal Yto the speed` of the conveyor. The' edges 23 of the disk 9 gradually slide into the groove formed in the upperV surface of the belt 2- and serve gradually to spread the upper edges of the belt. vAt the same time,the groove in the-chan flattening ofthe belt-2 from the top and thenthe guidance of the belt is taken over by thengers I5 which taper smoothly to a point near the lowest pointof the disk 9; As the fingers- I5fin crease in cross section they press the beltA 2 flatter upon the top of the channel ILI. operation takes place .without anyabrupt change and the edgesofthe fingers. I5'are tapered and smoothedv to reduce friction to a minimum.`V

y It `is 4obvious that Various .changes and modifications may bem-ade in thevdetails ofA construction and-design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing fromY the spirit thereof, such changes-and modications being. restricted. only by the scope of the -followingclaims What is claimedi's:

1. A cigarette machine having a rod forming channel, a conveyor belt in` said channel, and

a peripherally grooved compressing disc, saidchannel'ha-vingits. sidewalls cut awayV concentrically withsaid disc -andsaidrdiscdipping into the cut away portion, anda pair of. fingersv on opposite sides of said disc between the disc and said ,belt and being longitudinally tapered whereby to spread-saidrbelt;

A2.. A. cigarette machine having a grooved.'V rod forming channel'provided witha gradually. ref ducing. forward. portion; a conveyor beltV .inthe groove ofv said channeL. a. peripherally. grooved compressing, discrotatablymounted to engage above said forward. portion of .f said channel to compressl a tobacco rod" on.. said belt,. said disc. being` bevelled'..atits-peripheryV on opposite. sides.

of the groove whereby to slide oversaidlbelt to spreadthe beltand engage the tobacco'rod,.and belt.V flattening fmeans extending between said The disc and said belt and also extending forwardly of said disc.

3. A cigarette machine having a grooved rod forming 'channel provided with a cut away p0rtion, a conveyor lbelt passing through the groove of said channel, a peripherally grooved compressing disc engaging in said cut away portion of said channel to compress tobacco on said belt, said disc being bevelled at its periphery on opposite sides of the groove whereby to slide over said belt to spread the belt and to engage the tobacco on opposite sides, an-d a pair of guiding fingers adjacent said groove on opposite sides of said disc, said fingers having their edges adjacent the sides of said disc bevelled to correspond to said disc.

4. A cigarette machine having a grooved rod forming channel provided with a cut away portion, a conveyor belt extending through said channel, a peripherally grooved compressing disc rotatably engaging in said cut away portion of said channel to compress the tobacco rod on said belt, said disc being bevelled at its periphery on opposite sides of said groove whereby to slide over said belt and spread the belt and engage the tobacco rod thereon, a guiding nger over the groove of said channel in front of said disc and extending into the groove of said disc to guide tobacco on said Ibelt into the groove of said disc, a pair of spaced parallel ngers disposed on opposite sides of said disc at the lowest portion thereof, said fingers increasing in cross-section to ilatten said belt gradually upon said channel, and a covering finger disposed between said parallel ngers and extending into the groove of said disc whereby to guide tobacco between said fingers and to scrape adhering tobacco from the groove of said disc.

5. A cigarette machine having a grooved rod forming channel provided with a cut away portion, a conveyor belt extending ythrough the groove of said channel, a peripherally grooved compressing disc rotatably engaging in said cut away portion of said channel to compress a tobacco rod on said belt, said disc being bevelled at its periphery on opposite sides of said groove whereby to slide over said belt and spread the latter and engage the tobacco on opposite sides, means cooperating with said bevelled portions of said disc adjacent said cut away portion of said channel groove for attening said belt and for guiding the tobacco, and a covering ringer extending into said peripheral groove to scrape ad; hering tobacco therefrom.

6. A cigarette machine having a grooved rod forming channel provided with a -cut away portion, a. conveyor 'belt extending thlrough the groove of said channel and conforming in shape to said channel, a peripherally grooved compressing disc rotatably engaging in said cut away portion ofsaid channel to compress a tobacco rod on said belt, said disc :being bevelled at its periphery on opposite sides of said groove whereby to slide over said belt and spread the latter and engage the tobacco rod, a pair of ngers on opposite sides of said disc for attening said belt and for guiding the tobacco, and a covering iinger disposed between said pair of fingers and extending into said peripheral groove to guide tobacco between said fingers and to scrape adhering ltobacco from said peripheral groove.

7. In a cigarette machine including a tobacco rod forming channel provided with a cut away portion, a bridge, vand Ian endless conveyor belt in said channel conforming in shape to said channel, said belt being adapted to convey tobacco to said bridge; the improvement which consists in a peripherally grooved disc rotatably engaging in said cut away portion to compress a tobacco rod on said belt, said disc being bevelled at its periphery on opposite sides of said peripheral groove to Eride over said belt and gradually spread the same outwardly, means on opposite sides of said disc cooperating with said belt to gradually flatten the latter in its travel vtoward said bridge, said means guiding said tobacco from said disc to said bridge, and means for removing adhering tobacco from said belt adjacent said bridge.

PAUL JOHANNES HERRMANN. 

